That’s the verdict of Kyle Kuzma, despite the damage LeBron James’ ongoing absence has had on their chances of finishing high in the Western Conference.
The four-time MVP is sidelined by a groin strain and the Lakers have gone 2-5 in the seven games without him to drop down to eighth in the West.
Luke Walton’s team bounced back to beat the Dallas Mavericks last time out and will hope to make it two straight wins when they face the Detroit Pistons tonight, 7.30pm PST (3.30am UK time).
Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball were much improved against the Mavericks with the young duo having responded to public criticism from head coach Walton to lead the team to a much-needed win.
But the Lakers are still suffering from injuries with veterans LeBron and Rajon Rondo sorely missed for their nous on the court.
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Their losing run without LeBron has seen their playoff credentials come into question – although as they should have the quality to end a five-year post-season drought once he and Rondo return to health.
And looking ahead, Kuzma thinks the Lakers can learn from the Warriors’ approach – with Golden State having scrapped a traditional center a few years ago in favour of a smaller, more agile, three-point-shooting-focused starting five built around the back-court pairing of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson.
The Warriors now boast a roster in which they can start four All-Stars in Curry, Thompson, Kevin Durant and Draymond Green while that may soon swell to five when DeMarcus Cousins returns from a lengthy Achilles injury.
Kuzma believes going small could be pivotal if the Lakers are to enjoy a successful run in the playoffs despite the fierce competition in the West.
The 23-year-old told ESPN ahead of the Lakers’ Staples Center clash with the Pistons: “Honestly, I think our small-ball unit can be really good.
“I think we can have a death lineup, whether that’s Rondo and Lonzo [Ball] on the floor at the same time and me and BI [Ingram] and Bron, or substituting guys.
“I think as we get better defensively and get more continuity, that small-ball lineup is going to be huge for us, especially in the playoffs when everybody’s going to be going small.
“We go to it when we’re kind of desperate, but I think that can be an advantage to where we can go to it regularly.”
Walton, meanwhile, paid tribute to Kuzma’s impact in the win over Dallas despite shooting just four-of-20 on the night.
The coach declared despite Kuzma off-night in shooting: “He was huge for us. He hit some shots when we needed him too.
“He took a lot of shots, but just the way he’s attacking the rim and collapsing the defense, helps us get out and go.
“And he’s got such a good competitive energy about him, that I think it’s contagious as well.”
Kuzma will hope to help run the floor when the Lakers face the Pistons with LeBron missing an eighth straight game.
Walton has also confirmed that LeBron will not travel with his team-mates to face the Utah Jazz later this week and will instead face medical re-evaluation in LA on Friday.